HomeAnswersMedical Gastroenterologyabdomen painWhy did my doctor suggest gallbladder removal for right upper abdomen pain?

Is it a must to remove gallbladder for right upper abdomen pain?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At June 21, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 21, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

About a month ago, I experienced acute pain in my right upper abdomen and that radiated to my back. It happened after I had a high fat meal that night. The pain lasted for hours and continued as a dull ache for the next week. I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist and he advised an abdominal CT. The report revealed that besides a mildly hydronephrotic kidney, for which I have already seen a urologist, everything else was normal except for the following. A focus of calcification is in the gallbladder lumen or the posterior gallbladder wall. The gallbladder wall is minimally prominent. However, the gallbladder is collapsed. All of my laboratory blood work showed that my kidney, liver and pancreas functions are normal. The gastroenterologist did not really give me any insight. He said to find a surgeon in case I have another attack, so that the gallbladder can be removed. I have found a surgeon, but I would like to get a second opinion from a different gastroenterologist. I have had a dull ache since the initial attack, but I have not had any more excruciating pain. Should I wait to get the gallbladder out if I do have another attack? When the report says focus of calcification, does that mean I just have one gallstone? Though I do not have any extreme pain, is this an emergency? Any advice you can provide would be helpful.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

We are here to help you.

  • Such description of pain is usually seen in the gallbladder issues as well as acid reflux disease.
  • There is no point in taking a second opinion from a gastroenterologist as he would suggest the same.
  • Actually, his suggestion is right. However, If I would have been your doctor I would have added a combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone to help with acid reflux that might be precipitating the pain.
  • So, my advice for you would be to go ahead with this combination. If you get another episode of such pain, then go for HIDA scan (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan). If it reveals malfunctioning of your gallbladder, then it can later be removed.

For further information consult a medical gastroenterologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anshul Varshney
Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine

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